Blog Archive

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Miraculous Morning

I slept until nearly 9 am this morning. With three mini-alarm clocks in the house, has this ever happened before? Nope.

I knew yesterday we were all tired. Simon came in the bedroom to wake me up this morning, but I just lay there very still, and he went back to sleep on the bed with me. I don't know what time of morning that was. But, the next thing I knew, it was 9 o'clock and Emma and Evy were just getting up.

All I can say is "Wow!" I am thoroughly grateful for the extra rest and the cooperation of the Short Ones.

We celebrated our extended rest by going on a breakfast picnic this morning. Although, by the time we got to our destination, it was more like a brunch. Emma helped me make the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We splurged and took sodas. I am an anti-soda Mom, but this sleeping-in event seemed to call for celebration.

Roscoe went with us. He got his breakfast before we left the house. It didn't keep him from being keenly interested in what we were eating, though.

After our picnic, we found a big land snail on our walk. It soon became Evy's pet. It, of course, was promptly named "Snailie." All creatures that cross our path get "ie" added to the end of their common name.

Simon evidently found the perfect stick and used it to beat the bushes and dig for treasure. I couldn't see that either effort yielded anything besides Level 3 Fun.

The dew berries are in full bloom and looks like we are going to have a bumper crop. I am looking forward to the berry sweetness, box turtles, and purple stained t-shirts that accompany their arrival.

I decided to do a scavenger hunt with the kids this evening. I gave them paper bags to put their finds in and sent them off. Some of their clues included:

a heart shaped leaf

a pink flower

something you can eat

a fig leaf

a piece of quartz

a oak leaf

a sweet gum ball

an eggshell

They had so much fun, I finally had to just stop. It is a big back yard, but I was running out of imagination. As we concluded, Emma proposed something new for next time. She said, "Momma, I know how to make this a real treat for you. Next time, write down the clues, and I will sound them out."

Will do, Emma!

Since everyone won the scavenger hunt, we pulled out bubble juice as prizes. Now, both bubbles and laughter are drifting in through the back door.

Monday, April 26, 2010

It's a Bird!

The story is that I whined, gnashed my teeth, cried, pleaded, and threw a tantrum in order to get my watercolor teacher Adam to let me take a break from my landscape. I don't really remember it that way. But, it is the way the story is being told.

At any rate, I got my way and got to lay the landscape aside for a moment. He had us make background pages using watercolor and inks. We splashed, doodled, smeared, slung. Anyway you can think of getting the color on paper, we tried it.

What we ended up with was colorful chaos.

Then, Adam challenged us to cut up the paper and make shapes with it. I was left to my own to decide what shapes that would be. Although, the word "flowers" echoed in my ear as I left class.

I pulled out my cheat sheet book 1000 Creative Greeting Cards that I have been leaning heavily on for the last few days for some inspiration.

I focused on a paper pieced bird and did my own interpretation using my self-designed background papers, interspersed with sheet music.

I put my bird and flowers on a piece of vellum. The vellum I put over some scrapbook paper with the word "love" repeated over and over as the background. I came across the saying "Friendship is love with wings." I thought it was an appropriate addition with the love background and the winged bird.

I mounted it on a canvas board and trimmed it with lace and some embroidered bits. It was lots of fun to do. It was just the creative break I needed from my landscape.

Thanks to my collage mini-vacation, this week, I came to class with a new attitude toward my landscape. I was positive and determined. Just before the end of class, Adam said the magic words: "It's finished."

Today, Simon teaches me a new interpretation of "the pen is mighter than the sword." After receiving his Good Boy prize of a 10 color writing pen, he quickly converted it into a weapon which was a hybrid between a SCUD missle and a light saber.

Friday, April 23, 2010

In Progress

Today, I was granted a great gift. I was allowed a creative retreat at the best coffee and tea spot in the northern hemisphere, Lee's Coffee and Tea. I spent my time eating delicious food, visiting, writing, and arting. I exercised my right to creativity by working on a journal that is in progress, writing some friends, and doing a little drawing. All this, while Kevin Toqe sung inspirational music. How much better can it get?

I have been having a creative block here lately. A block much more sinister than a lack of time. So, today, I decided to "cheat." At Lee's, I pulled out one of my favorite books: 1000 Handmade Greetings. I decided to steal some inspiration.

Here are a few works as they looked earlier in the day. I plan to finish them up and color them later tonight. I'll try to update you when that happens.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Inspirational Find

I love fonts. I love trying new handwritings. Lately, I have found myself drawn to samplers. I have discovered some amazing samplers created by calligraphers that inspire me to always dot my i's and complete the loops of my o's.

I stumbled across this very cool website Wordle.net that makes a sampler of sorts with words you type in. Alternately, you can give the program a website address where it can randomly choose words to create the graphic. For this instance, I used my blog address as the word source. I can see myself getting drawn in and endlessly playing with this application, but I will resist its charm.

For now, I will let it inspire me to pull out a pen and create, by hand, my own sampler.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Evy's Continuing Fascination with the Waffle House

Emma requested to help me make waffles for her birthday breakfast. As the first one was cooking, Evy came in and said: "Waffles?! It smells like the Waffle House in here. I won't ever quit shaking my boody."

Sunday, April 18, 2010

My dad used to drive around in an old Chevy C-10 stepside pickup truck. I loved that truck. It had a wooden bed which was always littered with stuff.

One spring, we had beans growing back there because we had hauled some dirt and some garden seeds had fallen in the back. We considered ourselves very clever truck farmers, with our mobile garden.

I used to love to kick out the small vent windows on the side. And, when we we were riding around in the woods, my dad would let me ride hanging onto the stepside.

The truck was a dark forest green with the word "Chevrolet" in white on the tailgate. It was also embellished with some rusty spots, but that seemed then to only add to its charm.

I can still remember the sound the hood made when Daddy would close it. It was a very heavy sound. Everytime I would hear the hood slam, I would think about my fingers getting squished under it. Thankfully, they never did.

The other day, I saw one very much like my dad's old truck parked in a grocery store parking lot. I have toyed with the idea for many years of getting one to restore. The day I saw one at Piggly Wiggly, I almost left a note on that truck saying, "When you get ready to sell, call me." But, I didn't.

Tomorrow is Emma's 6th birthday, but we decided to have a little celebration today. The good folks at Sugar Baker's made the cake. Miss Amanda did an excellent job decorating it. Our only request was hearts and flowers, and her interpretation of our theme was just right. Inside was fresh sliced strawberries between layers of cake. To quote Emma, it was "yummylicious."

Miss Allie came and celebrated with us. After cake, the kids played hard outside for a long while.

Emma thought it was an excellent birthday party.

She has yet to even mention presents, and her mom couldn't be prouder.

It is green...really green! I am challenging myself with this peppermint green. It is not even close to the rainbow of colors I am used to working with.

But, you know what? It is fun! I am really inspired by Spring right now. Pinks, greens, and yellows are saturating everything I do. And not the pastel flavors normally associated with Spring and Easter. I am going brash. I am getting color haughty.

Don your sunshades and take a step back.

What will I do next to Magic Box? Stay tuned, but expect f l o w e r s.

Evy is changing. She is learning the benefits of cooperation and sharing. She is making her peace with that which she has been resistant to accept for a long time: "Evy isn't the focused center of the universe."

This morning while we were getting ready for church, she agreed to share the spotlight with her lesser siblings. Yes, the princess is beginning to turn into a lady.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Call for Help

I am in need of a purse. I know. Purse shopping isn't exactly an emergency of the magnitude that requires a call for help. Usually, I would agree with that, but since I don't accessorize I am a little lost.

I know what I don't want. I don't want all those ugly purses they are selling at the mall, the shoe stores, and department stores. So, I turned to etsy to find me a stylish, but highly functional purse. I need something rugged enough for everyday and possibly several year's worth of wear. It needs to accommodate my stuff, although it won't have to contend with the 63 writing pens that line the bottom of my current bag.

Since I am really into owls, I would like something embellished with an owl. Thankfully, it looks like there are lots of creative purse makers out there with a love of owls too. After looking at over 1,500 different owl purses, I now present to you my narrowed down choices.

Help me choose the purse for me by e-mailing me or posting a comment below.

Today, I was shopping for some much needed lady jeans. I am always stealing Joseph's man jeans, and I think his generosity was running out as the holes in his shared jeans were growing.

While at J.C. Penny's, I picked up a few pair to try on with most of my hopes placed on the top pair in the stack. These jeans were advertised as "The Original Flattering Jeans."

This was going to be just the jeans I was looking for. I envisioned them telling me things like..."You look so good," "You are so smart," "You are the best driver ever," and so on. So, I tried them on last, fully prepared for the ensuing flattery.

Instead of flattery, this is what these jeans said to me: "Girl, you better put me back on the rack and go get my big sister. You ain't gonna be busting my seams trying to fit THAT in HERE."

I didn't even try with the big sister. I was afraid she would be as jaded and as honest as the little sis.

Thankfully, I was able to get me a lieing pair of Lee's jeans. If they had anything unpleasant to say, they kept it to themselves.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

The Magic Box

Today's thing I have put off and the thing just for fun are one in the same! Last year, I picked up this cool little overnight case at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Laurel, MS. I promptly christened it my Magic Box, and have been toting it with me everywhere I go. It is packed full of pens, paper, and journals, so I can write on the road.

I have thought several times about decorating it. Maybe decoupaging it is the answer.

Today, I decided to start with a coat of gesso. Once that dries, I will add a funky fun color. Haven't decided which one. I usually like to do projects in earth tones, but think I may challenge myself to do something bright. Maybe even neon.

I'll share with you as I progress.

While it is down and "closed for upgrades," I will miss it.

Which leads me to the thing that just has to be done...finding a substitute journaling box until the Magic Box is back in commission.

Yesterday morning, I committed myself to do three things: one thing I had been putting off, one thing that just had to be done, and one thing just for fun. I accomplished them all.

The thing I had been putting off was cleaning up my plants on the back patio. So, I just went at about it whole heartedly. I dumped pots that had plants that didn't make it through the winter. I cut back old growth and dead limbs. I repotted a few root bound specimens.

The thing that had to be done was laundry. After returning from our trip, we had quite a collection of dirty clothes. Now the mountain is down to a mole hill.

When I started my day, I had thought that the thing just for fun would be to make something crafty. But, I decided to trade crafty for the gym. I had fun. The kids did excellent at child care while Joseph and I were in the gym, so there was an after gym treat. Smoothies all around!

I'm starting today with the same goals. Accomplish 3 things. I recommend you give it a try. It is a good way to look back and categorize your day.

A few days before Simon's and Evy's birthday, I made the last minute decision to get the kids some precious handmade bunnies from the good folks at HeLLo dEaRie. Since we were getting the kids new sleeping bags for their birthdays to take on our vacation, I thought tucking the bunnies inside the rolled up sleeping bags would make a nice surprise once we got to the hotel.

It was just a few days before Easter....bunny rush season. Did this rattle the folks at HeLLo dEaRie? Not one bit! These folks work great under pressure.

The bunny surprise pulled off without a hitch. The kids have really been enjoying them! They were a welcome addition on our travels and provided lots of creative fun for the kids. In the picture, you can see Simon's and Evy's bunnies in the midst of a raucousy conversation before bed.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Deed vs. Breed

I was stopped behind this vehicle at a red light with no camera handy. The selection of decals on the back glass would have made a great picture, but, since I wasn't fast enough, you'll just have to picture it in your mind.

On the driver's side, there was the little stick figure decals of the family members, which included a daddy and big blank space where the momma would have went, a boy, a girl, and three dogs.

On the passenger's side, there was a graphic of a bulldog's head and the words "Punish the deed and not the breed."

It occurred to me that the empty space where the momma stick figure should have been might have something to do with the "deed and not the breed" motto. Was stick figure momma eaten by one or more of those stick figure doggies? How did this translate to real life?

With a change of the light, the remaining family members were gone, and I was only left with my conjectures and a smirk.

Sometimes you amaze me, Simon. If you ever go someplace one time, you will always remember it and sometimes even be able to navigate us to it.

You are completely honest. You always come tell me even if you did something wrong. You are guileless.

Sometimes, though, you start spazzing, and I worry about you. Did you get enough oxygen at birth? Did you just hit your head? Then I see that twinkle in your eye and realize you are all about fun whether it be silly fun, nonsensical fun, or spazzy fun.

The kids got a delicious birthday cake courtesy of our terrific friend Mrs. Chas. If you need a confectionary wonder for yourself, call Chas at Sugar Bakers 601-425-5358. Miss Emma sent her instructions for decorating the cake via text messages. She requested flowers and baby monarch butterflies. We picked a picture of a monarch baby for Mrs. Chas to study. Mrs. Chas got an education, and we got a cake!

Once we were all stuffed, Emma said in her street speak: "This cake was extreme yum."

Monday, April 05, 2010

All the Courage I Could Muster

I rallied every ounce of courage I could and went "Darker!" with my tree. I also darkened up a bit of the foreground, too. It goes against my nature to not darken EVERYTHING. Artistic know-how passed down through the generations says keep it intense in the foreground. Let the stuff in the back mellow out into the distance.

My countless hours spent in coloring books says "Everything is in the same plane!" Sometimes instead of practice makes perfect, you get practice makes artistically retarded.

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Look Down

We are always encouraged to look up. Sometimes you need to look up to get involved with the world going on around you. Sometimes you need to look up spiritually to keep focused.

Roscoe and I took a walk by ourselves on Friday morning. The kids were still asleep, and Joseph was working on some stuff...mainly a pancake. So, Roscoe and I took the opportunity to do some early morning exploring and ignore the normally excellent advice of looking up.

Today, we decided to look down to see what was emerging with Spring newness. We found some welcomed sights and a few welcomed surprises.

Thursday, April 01, 2010

First Slithery Visitor of the Year

While cleaning up around the patio, I found this beauty amongst the leaves. It took me a while to catch him. Have you ever seen a snake disappear into a pile of leaves? It is chilling how quickly they camouflage, and you loose them.

I don't know what kind he is. I am hoping that he is non-venomous. I am guessing a chicken/rat snake. We have lots of those around here. Juveniles can look so different from their parents, so I cannot really say.

We put him in this little garbage can to do a photo op. The can bottom is about one foot across to give you some sense of scale.

After his abbreviated modeling career, we released him in the woods a long ways from the house.

I was letting the kids play in the backyard. While it is still cool, we have only one rule: Do not play in the water. All the kids are asked to recite this single rule before going out to play.

All was going well until I went inside for a moment. My momma senses began to tingle, so I went to the bathroom window to take a peek. Sure enough, the kids were clustered around the water garden, catching snails and picking water lilly leaves.

I cracked the window and said, "Get out of the water," in my menacing Momma voice. The kids looked all around not knowing where my voice was coming from.